Dog-Friendly Activities in Redwood Estates, CA

Roaring Camp Railroads offers dog-friendly train rides in Felton, CA, through the California Redwoods. Located just a few miles from Santa Cruz, you and Fido can climb aboard an authentic 19th century steam train for a trip through the magnificent redwood forest. As you travel along the historic, winding narrow-gauge track to the summit of Bear Mountain, the conductor will entertain you with the history of the railroad and its locomotives, which were once used to haul giant redwood logs out of the forest. Tours are offered daily and departure times vary by season.

Bring Fido for a hike along West Cliff Drive, a pet-friendly trail in Santa Cruz, CA. This 3-mile one-way, walking and biking path along the Pacific Ocean starts at the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf, winds past the iconic Santa Cruz Dream Inn, Steamer Lane, and Lighthouse Point, and ends at Natural Bridges State Beach. Please keep Fido leashed.

Dogs are welcome in the pet-friendly picnic areas and campsites of Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park in Felton, CA. Also, unlike many state parks in the area, leashed dogs can join you on a number of trails, including the Meadow Trail, Pipeline Road, Graham Hill Trail and Powder Mill Fire Road. The park has been established to preserve forests and the areas next to the watershed of the San Lorenzo River, including a number of huge redwood trees.

The Arizona Cactus Garden is a pet-friendly botanical garden located inside Stanford University in Palo Alto, CA. Fido is welcome to join as you tour the grounds, but please note that there are no boundaries around the cacti. Guests can expect to see a variety of unusual plants, including Cholla, Prickly Pear, several types of Aloes and more.

Leashed dogs are welcome at the dog-friendly Seabright State Beach in Santa Cruz, CA. Parking is available in the neighborhoods surrounding the beach. Restrooms and outdoor showers can be found at the east end of the beach.

Twin Lakes State Beach is a dog-friendly beach in Santa Cruz, CA. Leashed pets are welcome. There are nearby outdoor showers and restrooms for your convenience.

Fido can play in the sand and watch the surfers with you at Rio Del Mar Beach, a pet-friendly beach in Aptos, CA. Dogs are allowed on leashes no longer than 6 feet.

The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park in Aptos, CA, is dog friendly. This redwood forest is home to trees that stretch up to 2,600 feet into the sky above. Although logging felled thousands of trees that once stood in the area, many new trees are starting to grow back to cover the land that lay bare for so long. Dogs are only allowed on Aptos Creek Fire Road and the four single-track trails below the steel bridge. Unfortunately, dogs are prohibited beyond the gate at the Porter picnic area parking lot.

Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing in Santa Cruz, CA, offers a great selection of organic, microbrewed ales. Leashed dogs are welcome both in the taproom and the beer garden, making it a perfect stop for craft beer lovers with pups in tow. Enjoy a relaxed, dog-friendly atmosphere just minutes from the coast.

Hapa’s Brewing Company is a pet-friendly brewery in San Jose, CA, where Fido is welcome inside and outside. Sample IPAs and other craft beers while you play a game of cornhole. Food trucks are sometimes onsite in case you get hungry; check their website for the current schedule of events.

Four-legged friends can socialize and exercise off leash at Ozzi Dog Park at the McGregor Multiuse Park in Capitola, CA. This wood-chipped, fenced recreation area, adjacent to the skatepark, features separate small and large dog spaces. Amenities include waste receptacles, a water fountain, benches and shade trees.

Bring Fido to play off leash at the fenced John Boulware Park Dog Park in Palo Alto, CA. This half-acre synthetic-turf recreation space offers a place for four-legged friends to exercise and play without restrictions. Pups should be leashed when entering and exiting the dog park.

Its Beach is a dog-friendly beach in Santa Cruz, CA. Your favorite canine will love a romp on this lovely beach, where they're welcome to join you as long as they remain on leash.

Leashed dogs are welcome to shop with their humans at Bass Pro Shops in San Jose, CA. You'll find supplies for outdoor recreation, fishing, camping, boating, hunting, dog training and more at this pet-friendly store.

Windy Hill Open Space Preserve is a pet-friendly recreational area in Portola Valley, CA. Leashed dogs are allowed on all trails at Windy Hill Open Space Preserve except Lost and Razorback Trails. Dog owners are reminded to clean up any mess that is left behind.

Cuesta Park is a dog-friendly area in Mountain View, CA. Enjoy tennis, volleyball, or a simple walk through nature. Pets are welcome if they remain on a leash and are cleaned up after.

Fido can run and play off leash at University Terrace Dog Run, a pet-friendly, fenced dog park in Santa Cruz, CA. Leashed dogs are allowed in the other areas of the park.

Bring Fido to play at the Grant Street Park Dog Park in Santa Cruz, CA. Dogs can play and socialize off leash in this fenced area that offers benches, shade trees and a double-gated entry.

Take Fido to run and play at the dog park inside of Ed Levin Park in Milpitas, CA. This off-leash play area is one of the largest in the area and features two separate sections, providing dedicated spaces for small and larger dogs.

Bring Fido to Las Palmas Dog Park in Sunnyvale, CA. This off-leash dog park features a large, fenced space for pups to run and play, as well as running water, donated toys, and waste bags. Please note that the dog park is located within Las Palmas Park, and dogs must be leashed until they enter the designated dog park space.